wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has also been viewed 8,110 times.
Learn more...

Steps

1

Know what Wikipedia is. Wikipedia's slogan is "The free encyclopedia that anyone can edit." That means two things:

Wikipedia is in fact an encyclopedia. Like Britannica, it is meant to provide detailed knowledge on a topic, more so than a dictionary but less so than an entire book on the subject. Side note: having reliable sources in a description is crucial to Wikipedia's accuracy. If it doesn't source, you shouldn't cite. Simple as that.

Wikipedia can, has been, and will be vandalized. It is, after all, an encyclopedia that anyone can edit. For example, on the date of 10/29/08, an unnamed Wikipedian searched "wikipedia" on Wikipedia, and found only "a piece of CR@P" for a description. Whosoever did this should and likely is banned from contributing to the site again, but this does show that even the most comprehensive article of something can be vandalized. So look out.

2

Put it in your Bookmarks tab, and try to devote a folder to articles of interest on Wikipedia. You may be surprised at how many times you use Wikipedia if it's there as a click, and not 20-something letters away. Moreover, you will likely find some interesting stuff on Wikipedia. Here are some links to certain things that are very interesting:

Start visiting the site often. Revisit old pages, press "Random Article" a thousand times, or even play the game Wiki Wars, described below. You'll improve your IQ dramatically by doing this, and who knows? Maybe, just maybe, you'll find your passion in one of those articles.

OPTIONAL: Rules For Wiki Wars

Press "Random Article" once.

Open a second tab, go to Wikipedia, and press "Random Article" again.

Keep clicking links on one of the tabs until you reach the other (no, you can't use the search box).

4

Start contributing! Once you find a topic that you'd like to share some knowledge on, start doing some research & create some articles. Alternatively, many people also clean up old articles, articles that have to be translated, etc. After all, not everybody in the world is smart enough to shed a lot of light on a topic-that's why there are so many stubs of articles out there. Eventually, you will rise up through the system, & may even become an administrator for your work.

Community Q&A

Warnings

For controversial topics, even if there are sources, look at the sources available. Are the sources biased? Who knows. When searching something like marijuana or Joseph Stalin, it's always best to check why the article is the way it is. The best way to do that is by checking sources.

Again, do not trust articles without cited sources. This is not something to be taken lightly. Without sources, anyone could have written the article-even your worst enemy.

Wikipedia does not grant professional education. Don't get cocky. Like it or not, Wikipedia can be wrong about anything, just like any person. Don't search pregnancy on Wikipedia if someone in the room is having a child; don't search first aid if your arm has been deeply wounded. Get a professional doctor, etc. to help you.

This rule goes for all encyclopedias, not just Wikipedia. Although with Wikipedia there is a chance of unreliable information, no encyclopedia on Earth can grant you the wisdom to save a heart attack patient from death. I'll say it again: If you need professional help, get it.

Wikipedia should not be your only source for important documents. If you're writing a thesis, for example, putting down Wikipedia - even if it's right - will make it so you are looked down upon by those who read it. It's a simple fact: There is no one who is not suspicious of anything that can be obtained freely & without considerable effort.

Article Info

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has also been viewed 8,110 times.